RENTER’S QUESTIONS ANSWERED For more information call 800-625-2257 I don’t have enough money for rent, can my landlord evict me? If I am protected from an eviction for not paying The Governor has issued a 45-day suspension, until May 17, on rent, do I have to pay rent? evictions based on failing to pay rent due to COVID-19. This rule applies to all tenants in Florida. Yes. You still owe the rent and Despite the Governor’s order, Hillsborough County Court is still letting will eventually have to pay it. landlords file evictions. The final stage of an eviction is a writ of These suspensions give you time possession. The Sheriff’s Office is not serving writs until April 20. to get caught up with the rent, they do not cancel rent. Congress passed the federal stimulus CARES Act which suspends evictions for 120-days, until July 25, on all qualified dwellings. That rule protects tenants with Section 8 or Rural Development vouchers. It also I have a Section 8 voucher, protects: public housing, or some -Section 8 project-based housing other subsidized housing -Public Housing and I lost my job. What -HUD-subsidized senior housing should I do? -Other HUD-subsidized housing -USDA-subsidized housing Immediately report your loss of -Tax credit or “LIHTC” housing income so your rent can be If you are protected by the federal stimulus CARES Act and you still adjusted. The next month’s rent owe your landlord by July 25, your landlord must deliver you a 30-day should be based on your new notice before they can file for eviction. income. If there is delay in adjusting your rent because of I think I am protected from eviction, but my landlord has filed COVID-19 crisis, you should an eviction what should I do? receive a retroactive rent adjustment. You should contact Bay Area Legal Services or another attorney. The conditions in my property are terrible and my landlord will not fix anything, what can I do? Make any repair request in writing, over email or text. If the repairs are not urgent tell your landlord and give them time to make repairs. If the problems are affecting your health and safety, ask the landlord to make repairs right away. My landlord filed an eviction If they will not makebefore repairs, the you COVID can send-19 crisisa certified notice to your landlord giving them seven days to make the repairs or you willstarted. withhold What rent for happens the month. in Please contact Bay Area Legal Services before sending this letter to your landlord to make sure it complies with Florida law. You can also review your lease for any other rights you may have. my case? My landlord wants to enter my home, but I My landlord filed an eviction against me don’t want people in my home during COVID- before the COVID-19 crisis started, what 19. Can I stop them? will happen with my case? For an emergency your landlord can enter your unit at any time. Normally, your landlord must give you notice It is not clear if the Governor’s order suspending at least 12 hours before entering your unit, and can evictions applies to you. Some courts, like only enter from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hillsborough county, are still entering judgments for evictions and issuing writs of If you are nervous about your landlord or others being possession. That is the last step in the eviction in your home due to COVID-19, this is a valid concern process. Most clerks in our region are NOT based on CDC recommendations around self- issuing writs until close of business May 29, quarantining and social distancing. Contact us for help except for Hillsborough County where the sheriff deciding if you can keep your landlord out. will not serve these writs until April 20. .